What is the FLEX Global Program?
FLEX Global is a program that allows high school aged students from Georgia to spend an academic year in the United States living with a host family and attending U.S. high school.
FLEX Global builds on the legacies of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, which has operated for over 30 years, and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, which has operated for almost 25 years. FLEX Global aims to develop a network of young leaders who understand and support U.S. culture and priorities, with a focus on entrepreneurship, technology and SI, and leadership.
FLEX Global is a highly competitive, merit-based exchange program funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program will provide participants the opportunity to spend an academic year in the United States living with a host family, attending a U.S. high school, engaging in community activities, developing leadership skills, and taking part in American Excellence enhancement activities focused on business, technology, and entrepreneurship. These young leaders will return to their countries with new skills and knowledge, where they will apply what they learned to benefit their home communities and become lasting partners for the United States.
The FLEX Global program is supported at the local level by thousands of U.S. citizens and local secondary schools that host, educate, and support students with no financial compensation.
Applications for the 2027–28 program will be accepted through October 22, 2026.
To apply for the program, click the button above.
Students who are eligible to participate must meet the following criteria:
Be a citizen of Georgia;
Be born between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011;
Be a 9th, 10th, or 11th grade student during the 2026-27 school year;
Have a communicative level of English;
Meet the requirements for obtaining a J-1 visa (must not have stayed in the United States for more than 90 days during the past 5 years).
What does the FLEX Global program provide?
• Round-trip domestic and international travel (from home to the United States and back);
• Monthly allowance to help students participate in social activities and buy necessary personal supplies;
• Placement with a screened U.S. host family for one academic year;
• Enrollment in a U.S. secondary school;
• Program orientation activities including pre-program preparation and re-entry preparation;
• Program activities arranged in local U.S. communities; and
• Medical insurance, excluding pre-existing conditions and dental care
How are participants selected?
The participant selection process consists of three stages:
Stage 1: Personal information and three essays.
Stage 2: A short (15-minute) English language test.
Stage 3: A meeting with parents, an English language test, additional essays, an application form, and an interview.
Program Contact
flexglobal.ge@americancouncils.org
(+995 32) 229 21 06